Effect of calcium carbide residue and flyash in soil stabilisation for sand mixed clayey soil

Abstract

In this paper, soil stabilization is performed for clayey soil using manufactured sand (M−sand), calcium carbide residue (CCR), and fly ash (FA). The stabilizers added to the soil were characterized by scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to know its morphology, crystalline phases and elemental composition. The plasticity property of the soil was assessed from Atterberg limit tests (Plastic limit and Liquid limit tests). The optimum proportions of CCR and Fly ash were found as 3% and 7% respectively. The unconfined compressive strength was performed for the soil sample to assess its strength properties. The results indicated that, there is an increase of 52% in terms of compressive strength by adding stabilizers on comparing conventional clay soil to that of stabilized soil sample. The durability test (Wetting and Drying test) performed on the soil sample indicated a minimum strength loss at 12th cycle of cyclic UCS test. Hence these results confirmed the use of stabilizers (CCR and FA) in the clayey soil with a considerable increase in strength and durability.